Egeus is about how Renault sees the high-end SUV
segment. “Egeus is an SUV for city driving and the open road, a sort of ‘tall
coupé’ that combines driving pleasure with elegance and sportiness.”Patrick
le Quément, Senior Vice President, Corporate Design at Renault.

At the Frankfurt Motor Show, Renault is presenting its new Egeus concept car,
a resolutely upmarket 4WD SUV with the
comfortable interior of a saloon. Thanks to its SUV size, Egeus offers a
spacious interior while its exterior promises a dynamic
personality. The longer bonnet highlights a soft, flowing design worthy of an
upper-segment coupé.

The elegance of a saloon, the dynamic personality of a coupéEgeus
is the combination of elegance and sportiness, power and solidity. Its
design is a natural continuation of the previous concept cars Wind and Fluence
and carries echoes of a top-of-the-range saloon. Its flowing, homogenous lines
have nothing of the angular styling usually associated with an SUV.

The front end is deliberately pared-down. By incorporating the air inlets
under the headlamps, Egeus has no need for a grille, too brash for such a pure
design. The play of light on the double curve of the sides further accentuates
its flowing form.

“The outside is about simplicity and unity. Egeus looks as though it
has been sculpted from a single piece. The undulating lines and voluptuous forms
instantly suggest driving pleasure,” says Patrick le Quément.

This suppleness is evident in the way the bonnet flows into the rounded
windscreen, which, in turn, blends seamlessly into the bubble-shaped glazed
roof. The bubble shape of the rear window forms a continuous, flowing line with
the windscreen in a streamlined shape worthy of any coupé. The rear window rests
on broad wings that sit the car squarely on the road.

With its longer bonnet, shorter front and rear overhang, and rounded rear
wings, Egeus has a dynamic, powerful character. Its 22-inch wheels combine with
higher ground clearance than that of a classic saloon to give this concept car
its solid stance. Inside, the seat height is designed for greater visibility
while reinforcing passengers' sensation of comfort and safety.

Upmarket, functional and innovativeEgeus features four independent
seats with all the comfort of a luxury car. Noble materials and a subtle blend
of colours and textures distinguish the spacious interior. The relaxed, elegant
atmosphere adds to the feeling of serenity inside the cabin.

The “Cythère Blue” bodywork, the “manta ray” dashboard and the blue-tinted
hues of the cabin evoke an underwater world.

The leather upholstery in woven beige tones, inspired by a pixelated image of
a setting sun, creates a warm atmosphere. The centre console, upholstered in
blue-tinted leather, echoes Egeus' undulating sides. It incorporates three
generous stowage compartments in addition to the two front-door bins.

The cabin is warm and welcoming thanks to the glazed roof and a central strip
with two transparent sections.

“The interior is spacious, comfortable, simple and discreet. Aesthetically,
it aims for minimum intrusion and maximum well-being, as what counts when
driving is the environment outside as it unfurls.”

The wraparound seats guarantee a high level of comfort and stand out for
their innovative functions. The front seats pivot outwards and can be lowered
70mm for the easiest possible access. The rear-hinged doors plus the absence of
a centre pillar give unencumbered access to the rear seats.

The boot features a split-level opening, with a classic lift-up top and a
motorized, drop-down lower section that includes a sliding tray for effortlessly
loading heavy or bulky objects.

The height of this tray can be electronically adjusted to reconfigure the
boot's interior space.

The side door handles are flush-fitting so as not to detract from the
streamlined sides. An optical sensor detects an approaching hand and pushes the
handle out a few centimetres, making it easy to grasp.

The GPS navigation system calculates the recommended speed which is then
shown in the centre of the speedometer dial, with its analogue and digital
displays. LED diodes around the dial flash to alert drivers if they go over this
speed.

In off-road mode, an indicator on the instrument panel is automatically
activated to show the car's attitude to the horizontal and alert the driver if
there is any risk of roll-over.

At the top of the dashboard, a centrally-positioned interactive screen relays
information to passengers, in particular a detailed trajectory map.

The intuitive controls are true to the principles of Touch Design. The
central rotary speed selector benefits from simple ergonomic styling. The
ideally-located multimedia control lever makes for easy handling while the
steering wheel-mounted controls mirror the natural curve of the hand.

Driving pleasure, power and controlThe 250hp 3.0-litre V6 diesel
engine, mounted north-south, gives Egeus both power and agility. Euro 4
compliant, it is fitted with a particulate filter. /P>

The fully-automatic 4WD transmission regulates traction on the four wheels
from 0 to 100% according to grip. This, combined with a seven-speed flick-shift
automatic transmission, ensures a high level of driving comfort while
substantially reducing fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.

MichelinEgeus is fitted with Michelin Eden Weiss tyres.

Striking a perfect balance between sensitivity and performance, these tyres
are ideally adapted to Egeus' dual function: the adaptability of a roadgoing
vehicle that can also handle off-road conditions. The front and back tyres are
mounted differently.

These tyres are designed to better withstand friction and in doing so reduce
fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. The compact, closed tread minimises
deformation and therefore energy loss. The long, shallow grooves help reduce
road noise while ensuring a firm grip in off-road conditions. The centre of the
front tyres' tread, with a less open tread pattern and water-holding capacity,
is designed to transmit power to the ground and provide good grip on wet roads.
The rear tyres have rigid shoulders for optimal handling during cornering.

Thanks to the PAX System, Egeus doesn't need a spare wheel.

The wheel rims have been specially developed by Montupet.

ValeoEgeus’ boomerang-shaped headlamp function as running lights
and indicators, thanks to LED diodes in two different colours. This optical
system, developed in partnership with Valeo, matches efficiency with an
innovative and compact design.

All light comes from high-performance diodes and, as on Fluence, the amount
and direction is adjusted according to the steering angle.

On twisty roads, an electronic function automatically directs the beam.

On motorways, the diodes are automatically activated and modulated to
maintain a constant and optimal range without dazzle. Their colour is similar to
that of daylight for greater comfort and visibility. These diodes have a
significantly longer lifespan than any existing light source.